Press Release: JKAAC to Launch Nationwide Protests if Demands are Not Met

Muzaffarabad, May 20, 2024 – A significant meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKAAC) was held today in Muzaffarabad. The following points were clarified during the meeting:

1. Agenda and Conduct: The JKJAAC’s agenda, its charter of demands, and code of conduct have been clearly defined since day one. This charter represents the Committee’s ideology, and no individual or group was permitted to join the Committee’s protests for any other purpose.
2. Government’s Unlawful Actions: The Azad Kashmir government has continuously employed illegal and violent tactics to suppress the Committee’s peaceful protests. Specifically, to crush the peaceful long march on May 11, from May 8 onwards, members of the Committee were abducted, violating the sanctity of their homes. Paramilitary forces, including the FC, PC, and Rangers, were called in to conduct flag marches in various cities, inciting public anger. The resulting public outrage and breaches of the Committee’s code of conduct are entirely the government’s responsibility.
3. Baseless Allegations: Baseless and vile accusations were made against the JKJAAC, drawing India’s attention to the public protests. Subsequently, India used these protests for its propaganda. It is necessary to investigate those who accused the Committee of being influenced by India. The JKJPAC demands an investigation into the assets of all high-ranking officials in Azad Kashmir, including those who accused the Committee of Indian funding.
4. Failure to Implement Agreements: The announcement of the long march on May 11 was a result of the government’s refusal to implement the Committee’s recognized demands and agreements, including the notifications issued on February 4, 2024. In the interest of peace and broader public interest, the JKJAAC agreed to immediately end the long march if at least three points of the notifications were issued immediately. However, delays in issuing the notifications and the shutdown of the internet, following inconsistent responses from federal government representatives, worsened the situation. After negotiations in Rawalakot, there were no further dialogues, only phone contacts regarding the issuance of the agreed notifications. The arrival of Rangers in Muzaffarabad and the resulting deaths of three innocent youths are entirely the responsibility of the Azad Kashmir government, particularly the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister.

Jammu Kaahmir Joint Awami Action committee (JKAAC) Demands:

1. Judicial Commission: Establish a judicial commission to fully investigate all actions taken by the Azad Kashmir government to incite violence from May 8 to 13, 2024, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives. This includes the incidents in Dadyal, the police officer’s actions, and the deaths of the youths in Muzaffarabad.
2. Unresolved Issues: Address all unresolved issues raised by the Pakistani government representatives during negotiations.

• Establish a national grid in Azad Kashmir and declare it a load-shedding-free zone. Fully implement the High Court’s decision on hydel projects dated November 15, 2019.
• Investigate corruption and irregularities in the Electricity and Food Departments through a commission comprising judges of the Azad Kashmir High Court.
• Eliminate the privileges of the ruling classes and legislate accordingly.
• Implement the remaining eight points of the notifications issued by the Azad Kashmir government on February 4, 2024.
• Allocate flour based on the population ratio.
• Drop all cases against JKAAC workers from 2022 onwards as promised, and immediately release all detainees, including the seven prisoners in Mirpur. Address the grievances of the hundreds of peaceful protesters injured during the long march and take legal action against the responsible authorities.

If the above demands are not met, the JKJAAC will hold protest demonstrations across Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, overseas, and in Gilgit-Baltistan on May 27, 2024, and announce a stricter course of action.

The JKJPAC congratulates the public across the state for their historic participation in the long march on May 11-13, 2024, and their unprecedented hospitality in welcoming the march in all three divisions.

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